With University of California applications due on Dec. 2, many high school students have just finished submitting their applications.

For many high school seniors, applying to college is a monumental task that feels overwhelming, both emotionally and logistically. The college application process can be long and tedious, involving multiple essays, letters of recommendation, SAT/ACT scores and detailed personal information. For most students, where they go to college will shape their academic, social and professional futures.

SacSchoolBeat.com surveyed 60 high school seniors in the Sacramento area about whether they were applying to a University of California campus or not, and 73% of them said they were. 

One question asked what was the most difficult part of the UC application. Almost every senior responded with the same answer: the personal interest questions. 

“Knowing the essays you write are basically what stands between you and your dream school is the most stressful part,” said Numa Rashid, a senior at Cosumnes Oaks High.

A struggle many students said they faced was choosing what to write about and not using the same information multiple times. 

“Not repeating things in your PIQs is difficult and finding different topics to talk about without having them overlap,” Franklin High’s Karanvir Singh said.

The biggest challenge, according to Cosumnes Oaks senior Kamsiyochukwu Ede, is the odds students face.

“It’s hard answering in-depth questions about yourself with the word limit,” Ede said. “But, I think dealing with the fact that there’s a high chance you won’t get in is ultimately the hardest part.”

Other seniors said their main struggle wasn’t just about answering the PIQs, it was about setting time aside to write them while being a busy student. 

“The hardest part for me is balancing college apps with school work,” said Gabe Enriquez, a senior at Christian Brothers High School.

One thing many students noted was that the anticipation of hearing back from schools is extremely challenging. Julius James, a freshman at UCLA, said it’s excruciating.

“The application might be a long and consuming process, however, the hardest part is the waiting game,” James said. “You see all your friends get in via early decision and some others posting where they are committed to and where they got in to. You are dying to know if all your hard work paid off and where your journey will be going for the next four years.”

But for James, being patient was well worth it.

“Once you get accepted, it shows all that hard work paid off,” James said. “I love UCLA and honestly I’m glad the waiting game worked my way.”